Sometimes a player’s best skill is simply the ability to put the ball in the basket, and very few players in the league can do that as well as Young. That will be sorely needed on a Lakers team that lacks elite scoring after Kobe.

Young sort of grew up last season, becoming one of the leaders on a struggling team. Now Young will be asked to expand his role and become a more complete player. If he is able to do that, individual awards and team success could be in his future.